“It was politics” – Obasanjo on Sharia law introduction in Nigeria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the controversy surrounding the introduction of Sharia law in parts of Nigeria as largely driven by politics rather than religion.

Speaking during an interview, Obasanjo recalled discussions that took place during the Constituent Assembly when the issue of Sharia law became a major point of debate.

He said that during his time as military head of state, the matter sparked intense discussion in the assembly.

According to him, he had to engage one of the northern elites to better understand the position being pushed at the time.

“I was military head of state and Sharia became an issue in the Constituent Assembly. And I called somebody, one of the Northern elites, I said look, you people, Sharia Court of Appeal — you won’t go there. You don’t take any of your issues there,” he said.

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Obasanjo noted that the response he received showed that the debate was influenced more by politics.

“He said yes but why are you doing this? He said politics… Politics, so what suits people politically?” he recalled.

The former president added that his approach to leadership has always been guided by actions rather than words or political statements.

“So I don’t go by what people say or what they mean. I go by what they do,” he stated.

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